Question 1

received a puncture wound from nonrusty metal about 0.5mm thick, cleaned it with alcohol and taped a dressing on it is there anything else i should do?

Accepted Answer

It depends.: As long as you are otherwise healthy and have an up to date tetanus vaccination it is reasonable to watch the area.  Wash it daily with soap and water.  If the area developes increasing redness, pain, or drainage see a healthcare professional right away.  If this nail went thru the bottom of a shoe this increases risk of a certain type of infection that you would best be given antibiotic for now.

Question 2

hi, i had a surgery for pilonidal sonus second time, 15 days back. the wound is nice and clean because of daily dressing. what should i do to avoid its reccurence?

Accepted Answer

Clean and Dry: A complete resection of the pilonidal sinus should result in a cure from this problem. Keep your healing wound clean and dry. 

If you have hair in the area, then once you are completely healed, you can use a depilatory cream to remove all hair from the area.

Question 3

after a laparscopic appendectomy what are if any limitations in diets, activity, and health care. such as cleaning wounds and dressing them?

Accepted Answer

Ok to ask surgeon: Your surgeon and facility typically give verbal and written instructions on what to expect after surgery. Ok to call and ask, make your post op appointment at the same time. Typically diet limited until bowels are moving, and avoiding heavy lifting for two weeks is the answer.

Question 4

in a post appendectomy or exlap patient, when should the wound be cleaned and dressing changed? how often?

Accepted Answer

Ask your surgeon: It really depends on whether the wound was closed primarily (i.e., sutured up tight) or left open to heal in secondarily, something we do with really dirty wounds. Your operative surgeon would be the best source of advice for your specific wound(s).

Question 5

i had a mesh removal op, i'm left with an open wound, was given everything for the dressing, aquacel to insert inside with melcura gel, sodium saline n guaze to clean.. i forgot to ask how ofter i should change the dressing, if it's daily. plz help?

Accepted Answer

Daily: I would change daily till further notice from your surgeon.

Question 6

i have been bitten quite badly by a cat on my hand. puncture wounds on both sides. have cleaned with dettol and put a dressing on but very painful and swelling. i am sure i had a tetanus injection in the past 10 years but not sure. what must i do?

Accepted Answer

Infection:  Go to ER. Cat bites can become badly infected which may lead to lose of function in the hand. The fact that it is swollen and painful suggests you have an infection. Please get seen at an Emergency Room. This could be serious.

Question 7

could i clean my wound on day 4?

Accepted Answer

You should: Gently clean your wound on a daily basis until it has healed.

Question 8

in what way can i keep my wound clean?

Accepted Answer

Simple Care: The real question is what not to do that slows down healing. Avoid using alcohol, peroxide, hibiclens, betadine, and bleach solutions. Inflammation ( red, hot, swollen, tender) is important to healing  so anti-inflammatories (motrin, advil) are bad. Cover the area with a clean dressing changed every other day  and protected from trauma.  Antibiotics do not help healing unless it is truly infected.

Question 9

could cleaning your wound make the wound heal quicker?

Accepted Answer

Basic Care: The real question is what not to do that slows down healing. Avoid using alcohol, peroxide, hibiclens, betadine, and bleach solutions. Inflammation ( red, hot, swollen, tender) is important to healing  so anti-inflammatories (motrin, advil) are bad. Cover the area with a clean dressing changed every other day  and protected from trauma.  Antibiotics do not help healing unless it is truly infected.

Question 10

can vinegar be used to clean wounds?

Accepted Answer

Bad Idea: The real question is what not to do that slows down healing. Avoid using alcohol, peroxide, hibiclens, betadine, vinegar, bleach solutions. Inflammation ( red, hot, swollen, tender) is important to healing  so anti-inflammatories (motrin, advil) are bad. Cover wound with a clean dressing changed every other day  and protected from trauma.  Antibiotics do not help healing unless it is truly infecte.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Cleaning and dressing a wound

A member asked:

Received a puncture wound from nonrusty metal about 0.5mm thick, cleaned it with alcohol and taped a dressing on it is there anything else i should do?

A member asked:

Hi, i had a surgery for pilonidal sonus second time, 15 days back. the wound is nice and clean because of daily dressing. what should i do to avoid its reccurence?

A member asked:

After a laparscopic appendectomy what are if any limitations in diets, activity, and health care. such as cleaning wounds and dressing them?

A member asked:

In a post appendectomy or exlap patient, when should the wound be cleaned and dressing changed? how often?

A member asked:

I had a mesh removal op, i'm left with an open wound, was given everything for the dressing, aquacel to insert inside with melcura gel, sodium saline n guaze to clean.. i forgot to ask how ofter i should change the dressing, if it's daily. plz help?

A member asked:

I have been bitten quite badly by a cat on my hand. puncture wounds on both sides. have cleaned with dettol and put a dressing on but very painful and swelling. i am sure i had a tetanus injection in the past 10 years but not sure. what must i do?

A member asked:

Could i clean my wound on day 4?

A member asked:

In what way can i keep my wound clean?

A member asked:

Could cleaning your wound make the wound heal quicker?

A member asked:

Can vinegar be used to clean wounds?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?